Title of class: Galaxy Fused Gold Crevice Ring
Instructor: Renee Ford
Date of Class: April 13 & April 19
Time: 11-1:30 CT on Apr 13, 2026 and 1:30-4pm CT on April 19th, 2026
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with torch and flex shaft.
Type: Technique and finished project
Class Description:
One of my signature techniques I have been using in my work for years is fusing gold dust to sterling silver. It creates a beautiful galaxy effect against oxidized sterling silver. I use specific steps and types of metal to ensure successful fused pieces. This technique produces pieces of metal that you can use in a variety of ways in creating jewelry.
In this class you will learn this technique andmake a fused gold ring with a beautiful tube set 4mm sparkling faceted colored sapphire. One of my favorite elements to add is a hidden surprise in the back of rings. We will add a shiny accent of 18 karat gold ball at the back for a unique and one of a kind ring.
This is a technique heavy class on the fusing technique and tube setting. You will complete a finished one of a kind ring.
Class Fee: $290 (Materials and Tool Kit and Studio Sundries Kits sold separately)
Materials and Tool Kit Fee: $395
Materials and Tool Kit Fee Includes:
Metals:
Sterling Silver Sterlium Sheet: 3x1”, 18 gauge (Stuller)
Sterling silver tubing, heavy wall, 4.5mm OD (Stuller or Rio Grande)
18 karat royal gold dust/filings and scrap for ball (Hoover and Strong or Stuller)
Stone:
4mm round faceted green sapphire
Tools:
Blade Butter sample
Sanding Sponge sample
Paper Ring Template
Point burnisher in rosewood handle
Fork Tine Burnisher in rosewood handle
Punch for setting
Stone brass pusher in rosewood handle
Studio Sundries Kit: $35
Studio Sundries kit includes:
Sand paper rolls in 320 & 400
Grey pumice abrasive wheel on mandrel
Brown-red abrasive wheels on mandrel
1mm Drill
Setting Burs in 4mm
3M Radial Disc light green Bristle Wheels stack of 3 on mandrel
3M PSA Sandpaper Sample in 40 microns
Bench Tools and Sundries Required to Complete the Project:
Bench pin
Ring Clamp or rotating ball vise
Flat hand file 0 cut or slightly finer.
Flex Shaft or rotary tool that takes 3/32 bits (if you are buying Studio Sundries Kit the burs and bits are all 3/32.)
Scribe to mark metal
Printer
Double Stick Tape
Curved Burnisher
Ruler (small) or good straight edge
Steel Ring Mandrel
Fine tip Sharpie
Scissors and Shears
Liver of sulfur gel or patina for oxidizing
MM gauge (digital preferred)
Chasing or small hammer
Rawhide or Derlin mallet
Saw Frame and 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 blades.
Bench block or anvil
Eye Protection
Needle files
Magnification/Optivisor
Eye Protection/Safety Glasses
Torches and Soldering Stations Required to Complete the Project:
Soldering picks
Flux
Soldering surface: Hard compressed charcoal block is a MUST.
Silver solder in Hard and Medium
Brass Brush
Pickle and neutralizing bowls
Tweezers Fine Tip
Little Torch or silversmithing torch (a LARGE butane Torch can work but sometimes won’t get silver hot enough to fuse the gold.)
Optional Equipment:
Punch Bezel Closer (Stone Setting System)
Magic Pliers
Ring stamps for metal fineness
Inside Ring Stamps for metal fineness
Ring sizers
Rolling Mill
Hammer handpiece
Chasing hammer
Additional Class Comments:
If you want to provide your own gold dust/filings, please bring the exact matching items. Fusing is tricky when using just any 18k gold. This project works best with 18 karat royal gold from Hoover and Strong or Stuller. You can bring 22k or 24k gold filings as an alternative if you do not have 18 karat royal gold.
For other metals, please get the exact match or similar substitute. Argentium can substitute for sterlium from Stuller but often has cracking and brittleness issues because of how hot we need to get the gold to fuse. If you use straight sterling silver, there are more steps to take to achieve a good fuse.
The stone needs to be 4mm and faceted. Not “near” 4mm or whatever you have, the tubing is made for this size of stone. The tubing is easily obtained from Rio Grande or Stuller.
Instructor Email Address:renee@reneefordmetals.com
Title of class: Galaxy Fused Gold Crevice Ring
Instructor: Renee Ford
Date of Class: April 13 & April 19
Time: 11-1:30 CT on Apr 13, 2026 and 1:30-4pm CT on April 19th, 2026
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with torch and flex shaft.
Type: Technique and finished project
Class Description:
One of my signature techniques I have been using in my work for years is fusing gold dust to sterling silver. It creates a beautiful galaxy effect against oxidized sterling silver. I use specific steps and types of metal to ensure successful fused pieces. This technique produces pieces of metal that you can use in a variety of ways in creating jewelry.
In this class you will learn this technique andmake a fused gold ring with a beautiful tube set 4mm sparkling faceted colored sapphire. One of my favorite elements to add is a hidden surprise in the back of rings. We will add a shiny accent of 18 karat gold ball at the back for a unique and one of a kind ring.
This is a technique heavy class on the fusing technique and tube setting. You will complete a finished one of a kind ring.
Class Fee: $290 (Materials and Tool Kit and Studio Sundries Kits sold separately)
Materials and Tool Kit Fee: $395
Materials and Tool Kit Fee Includes:
Metals:
Sterling Silver Sterlium Sheet: 3x1”, 18 gauge (Stuller)
Sterling silver tubing, heavy wall, 4.5mm OD (Stuller or Rio Grande)
18 karat royal gold dust/filings and scrap for ball (Hoover and Strong or Stuller)
Stone:
4mm round faceted green sapphire
Tools:
Blade Butter sample
Sanding Sponge sample
Paper Ring Template
Point burnisher in rosewood handle
Fork Tine Burnisher in rosewood handle
Punch for setting
Stone brass pusher in rosewood handle
Studio Sundries Kit: $35
Studio Sundries kit includes:
Sand paper rolls in 320 & 400
Grey pumice abrasive wheel on mandrel
Brown-red abrasive wheels on mandrel
1mm Drill
Setting Burs in 4mm
3M Radial Disc light green Bristle Wheels stack of 3 on mandrel
3M PSA Sandpaper Sample in 40 microns
Bench Tools and Sundries Required to Complete the Project:
Bench pin
Ring Clamp or rotating ball vise
Flat hand file 0 cut or slightly finer.
Flex Shaft or rotary tool that takes 3/32 bits (if you are buying Studio Sundries Kit the burs and bits are all 3/32.)
Scribe to mark metal
Printer
Double Stick Tape
Curved Burnisher
Ruler (small) or good straight edge
Steel Ring Mandrel
Fine tip Sharpie
Scissors and Shears
Liver of sulfur gel or patina for oxidizing
MM gauge (digital preferred)
Chasing or small hammer
Rawhide or Derlin mallet
Saw Frame and 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 blades.
Bench block or anvil
Eye Protection
Needle files
Magnification/Optivisor
Eye Protection/Safety Glasses
Torches and Soldering Stations Required to Complete the Project:
Soldering picks
Flux
Soldering surface: Hard compressed charcoal block is a MUST.
Silver solder in Hard and Medium
Brass Brush
Pickle and neutralizing bowls
Tweezers Fine Tip
Little Torch or silversmithing torch (a LARGE butane Torch can work but sometimes won’t get silver hot enough to fuse the gold.)
Optional Equipment:
Punch Bezel Closer (Stone Setting System)
Magic Pliers
Ring stamps for metal fineness
Inside Ring Stamps for metal fineness
Ring sizers
Rolling Mill
Hammer handpiece
Chasing hammer
Additional Class Comments:
If you want to provide your own gold dust/filings, please bring the exact matching items. Fusing is tricky when using just any 18k gold. This project works best with 18 karat royal gold from Hoover and Strong or Stuller. You can bring 22k or 24k gold filings as an alternative if you do not have 18 karat royal gold.
For other metals, please get the exact match or similar substitute. Argentium can substitute for sterlium from Stuller but often has cracking and brittleness issues because of how hot we need to get the gold to fuse. If you use straight sterling silver, there are more steps to take to achieve a good fuse.
The stone needs to be 4mm and faceted. Not “near” 4mm or whatever you have, the tubing is made for this size of stone. The tubing is easily obtained from Rio Grande or Stuller.
Instructor Email Address:renee@reneefordmetals.com
